The article’s title seems to be misleading at first glance. From a professional engineering perspective, IEEE 1547 is a series of standards that targets validation of interconnected distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar, storage, and wind systems connected to the utility grid. Traditionally, EVSE has been understood as just a power source for EV charging. However, with sustainable technologies evolving, it is now also considered a utility resource similar to DERs. This is known as V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid).

In this article, we adopt and refer to those testing applications and requirements specified in IEEE 1547 and to which frame, study into what they may imply for the grid-connectedness testing for EV supply equipment under V2G scenario – one of the circumstances specified under IEC 61851. ActionPower’s expertise in power testing is highlighted by advanced grid emulation solutions, our programmable power and AC sources are able to reach 10MVA power rating which is among the most high-power platforms available on the market.

V2G Technology and EVSE’s Shifting Role from One-Way Charging Device to DER

Electrical vehicles communting through public transports are in nature a mobile energy storage systems  – a huge source of energy unsed unti they are essentially recognized so. The V2G scenario, as explained in IEC 61851, is a situation where parked electric vehicle connected to EVCS can refeed energy in its traction battery back to the grid for supporting sustainable energy utilization and even grid resilience.

Fig 1. Application Note: EV Charging, Smart Grid and IEC 61851

Such a feature has determined V2G to have great deal in common with DERs such as photovoltaic systems. [2] Both of them are connected to the grid, in highly distributed pattern, low-voltage grid resources, and with scalability dependent on embedded intelligence rather than continuous centralized control – which characteristics align with those control techniques and interconnection requirements stated IEEE 1547 and IEC 62116. In another word, those standards developed for DERs like PV can also impact V2G.

What are thoes Typical Interoperability Requirements Specified in IEEE 1547?

IEEE 1547 defines a comprehensive yet complex set of grid interoperability requirements intended for DERs interacting with utility grid under normal and abnormal operating conditions. It is not practical for us to go through in a detailed manner all of those requirements listed there though, through a general review some relevances are to spot how these grid-side expectation of behaviour at the PCC (Point of Common Coupling) may suggest for EVSE under V2G scenarios.

Fig 2. IEEE 1547-2018: Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces

Operating Boundaries and Ride-Through Expectations

Certain operating boundaries with regard to voltage and frequency are strictly defined in IEEE 1547 at the PCC with both normal and abnormal conditions defined. Time-dependent ride-through profiles are specified and mandate connected systems to remain online until when disconnection is permitted, rather than enforcing immedate disconnection.

Relevant IEEE 1547 clauses include:

• Clause 5 – Reactive Power and Voltage/Power Control: 5.1 Voltage regulation requirements
• Clause 6 – Response to Abnormal Conditions: 6.1 Voltage ride-through (VRT); 6.2 Frequency ride-through (FRT)
• Clause 7 – Power Quality: 7.2 Voltage regulation and operating ranges (steady-state context)

Grid-Supportive Power Control Functions

IEEE 1547 shifts grid interconnection from a passive “connect-or-disconnect” model to an active, cooperative model, where connected systems are expected to adjust their active and reactive power output in response to grid voltage and frequency conditions. Specifically, they are expected to support functions such as Volt-Var (adjusting reactive power in response to voltage deviations), Volt-Watt (modulating active power under high-voltage conditions), and Frequency-Watt responses (adjusting active power to support frequency stabilization).

Relevant IEEE 1547 Clauses:

• Clause 5 – Reactive Power and Voltage/Power Control: 5.2 Volt-Var control; 5.3 Volt-Watt control; 5.4 Frequency-Watt control; 5.5 Constant power factor mode

Resilient Response and Protection Coordination

Safety and protection requirements in IEEE 1547 are at system level. DERs should be able to responde dynamically against operating transitions and remain stability. Protection-related requirements such as anti-islanding and coordination with utility protection schemes ensure safe interaction under fault and islanding scenarios.

Relevant IEEE 1547 Clauses:

• Clause 6 – Response to Abnormal Conditions: 6.4 Response timing and performance requirements
• Clause 8 – Interconnection System Response: 8.1 Anti-islanding requirements; 8.2 Coordination with area EPS protection
• Clause 10 – Interoperability, Information, and Control: 10.1 Monitoring and status; 10.3 Control configuration and response behaviour

Interpreting IEEE 1547 Operating Functions in a V2G Context

EVSE operating with V2G capability resembles inverter-based distributed energy resources due to the characteristics of bidirectional power flow of both absorbing and injecting active power at the PCC. Thus the same requirements specified in IEEE 1547 can also apply to EVSE’s interaction with the utility grid events and conditions. Requirements stated in Clause 6 are thus to refer to for the same.

Engineering and Testing Implications

While IEEE 1547 sets the performance, functional, and interoperability standards (the “what”), whereas IEEE 1547.1 outlines the methods to prove compliance (the “how”), the latter should apply equivalently for EVSE with V2G operating capability. Highlighted implications include several testing approaches and operation capability requirements:

• EVSE behaviour should be evaluated under abnormal grid conditions rather than only steady-state operation.
• Bidirectional power transitions should be assessed for stability, response speed, and coordination with grid conditions.
• Grid simulator-based testing becomes essential for validating ride-through performance and power control behavior in a controlled, repeatable environment.

In this sense, IEEE 1547 serves not as a compliance checklist for EVSEs, but as an engineering benchmark for assessing grid interoperability in V2G-enabled charging infrastructure.

ActionPower’s Power Testing Solutions for Grid-Connectivity Validation agasint EVSE

EVSE such as high-power DC charger and large-scale EVSE(EV Charging Station) with V2G operating capability, for example that MCS (Megawatt Charging Station) designed for heavy-duty EVs, targets up to 3.75 MW (3,000A at 1,250V DC), requires correspondingly a high-power testing platform for validating their capability and compliance with applicable IEEE 1547 requirements – such a testing application and use case align exactly with ActionPower’s expertise in grid-compatibility and high-power testing solutions.

ActionPower‘s regenerative grid simulators that replicate utility grid, while combined with MW bidirectional DC power supplies which function as simulated EV, together validates the V2G performance of EVSE against various abnormal working conditions with controlled simulation of voltage and frequency disturbances, ride-through conditions, and dynamic power flow transitions.